PS3 v4.00 Firmware Update Released

The latest (mandatory) system update for the PlayStation 3 is now available. The v4.00 update sounds like the sort of thing that should welcome in some major new features; instead, future Vita owners and PlayStation Plus subscribers are the main groups who will benefit much from this particular update.

With the Vita launching in just a few weeks in Japan -- it'll be out there on December 17 -- this update enables the PS3 to manage content for the device. Digital games, music, photos, videos, and save games can all be transferred from the Vita to a PS3 for the purpose of backing them up. Vita firmware will also be upgradable through the PlayStation 3 with this update.

PlayStation Plus subscribers can now customize the automatic download feature so that certain things won't be downloaded or uploaded. This option can be toggled on or off for game patches, system software updates, recommended games/videos, and trophy sync information.

Other changes, as detailed here, include settings for filtering messages and friend requests, as well as support for upscaler output and Cinema Conversion mode when watching Blu-ray discs.